Subjective Probability

What is Subjective Probability?

Subjective probability refers to the probability of something happening based on an individual’s own experience or personal judgment. A subjective probability is not based on market data or historical information and differs from person to person. In other words, it is created from the opinion of an individual and is not based on fact.

Understanding Subjective Probability

In most types of probability, quantitative informationQuantitative AnalysisQuantitative analysis is the process of collecting and evaluating measurable and verifiable data such as revenues, market share, and wages in order to understand the behavior and performance of a business. In the era of data technology, quantitative analysis is considered the preferred approach to making informed decisions. is interpreted to determine the likelihood of something happening. However, subjective probability does not base its probability on quantitative information, is affected by personal beliefs, and contains no formal calculations.

For example, an individual who believes that there is a 70% chance that the S&P 500The S&P SectorsThe S&P sectors constitute a method of sorting publicly traded companies into 11 sectors and 24 industry groups. Created by Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Morgan Stanely Capital International (MSCI), they are also known as the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). will increase tomorrow is using subjective probability. Another individual asked the same question would likely offer a different probability of the S&P 500 increasing tomorrow – it is due to the different personal beliefs held by different individuals.

When the probability of something happening differs from person to person, it is likely a subjective probability.

Examples of Subjective Probability

Example 1

An analyst How to Read Stock ChartsIf you’re going to actively trade stocks as a stock market investor, then you need to know how to read stock charts. Even traders who primarily use fundamental analysis to select stocks to invest in still often use technical analysis of stock price movement to determine specific buy and sell, stock chartingis asked the probability of the S&P 500 will hit all-time highs in the coming months. The analyst looks at past trends and current market conditions and estimates that the probability of the S&P 500 will hit all-time highs at 20%.

Example 2

An individual is asked the probability of a dice roll yielding a 6. The individual looks at the past three rolls and notes that 6 came up in all instances. The individual believes that the probability of the next dice roll yielding a 6 is at 30%. Although the mathematical prediction is incorrect (the probability is 16.67%), the individual’s personal experience of the dice roll yielding 6 in three instances created a situation where he used subjective probability.

Subjective Probability in the News: Probability of a U.S. Recession?

On June 30, 2019, the New York Fed’s recession probability model warned that there was a 30% probability of a recession within the next 12 months (from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020). If other economists are asked regarding the probability of a recession within the next 12 months, they would likely provide a different estimate. The probability of a recession is based on opinion – not fact – and is, therefore, an example of a subjective probability.

Other Types of Probabilities

Apart from subjective probabilities, there are two other main types of probabilities:

1. Empirical probability

Empirical probability refers to a probability that is based on historical data. For example, if three coin tosses yielded a head, the empirical probability of getting a head in a coin toss is 100%.

2. Classical probability

Classical probability refers to a probability that is based on formal reasoning. For example, the classical probability of getting a head in a coin toss is 50%.

Subjective probability is the only type of probability that incorporates personal beliefs. Empirical and classical probabilities are objective probabilities.

More Resources

CFI is the official provider of the global Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™FMVA® CertificationJoin 350,600+ students who work for companies like Amazon, J.P. Morgan, and Ferrari certification program, designed to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst. To keep learning and advancing your career, the additional CFI resources below will be useful:

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